The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is the largest youth organization in the United States. As of 1995, there were more than 50,000 troops with a registered membership of almost 3 million. It was started in the early 1900s by men who were dedicated to bettering youth and focused largely on outdoor activities. There are several levels in Scouting, mainly divided by age group, where boys pledge loyalty to the Boy Scout Oath and earn merit badges by exploring different fields. The Boy Scouts strive to provide character, citizenship and physical-fitness training for boys through outdoor activities and leadership opportunities. Because it is a private organization, the BSA has generated controversy during recent years for barring nonreligious or homosexual members and volunteers. Is scouting right for your child? This overview should help you decide.

Levels of Boy ScoutsDifferent levels in Scouting are divided by age group and interest. The Boy Scouts of America organization provides detailed information through local troops and on its official website.

Cub Scouts. These are boys who are in 1st through 5th grades. They are further divided into Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos (We’ll Be Loyal Scouts) by age.

Boy Scouts. These are boys from 11-17 years old.

Varsity Scouts. This level is for boys from 14-17 years old,adding high adventure and sporting activities.

Sea Scouts. This is a coed organization for youth 14-20 years old that focuses on nautical activities.

Merit badges allow boys to advance through different levels of the organization. There are 120 areas to explore, from American Business to Wilderness Survival. Once a scout has decided to work toward a specific badge, he gets assistance from a counselor who helps him with the requirements and signs off the certificate when the badge has been completed.

Initially, the member will achieve the First Class Rank and then advancement to Star, Life and Eagle Scout. Eagle Scout is a difficult level to achieve that takes many years of dedication, requiring 21 merit badges, with 12 of them coming from the special Eagle Scout list.

“On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

The Boy Scout motto is: Be Prepared.

The Boy Scout slogan is: Do a Good Turn Daily.

Boy Scout RequirementsTo become a Boy Scout, a boy must:

Meet the age requirements

Complete an application and find a local troop

Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance

Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute and handshake

Demonstrate tying a square knot

Understand and agree to live by the Scout oath, motto, law and slogan

Boy Scout UniformsEvery Boy Scout must wear the official “Class A” uniform that consists of green pants, a khaki shirt, and red neckerchief with a slide. For more casual activities, most troops also have a “Class B” uniform that consists of a T-shirt that has been customized for that particular troop. This assures that the “Class A” uniform won’t get torn or dirty during certain activities.

By wearing a uniform, the focus of each individual boy is taken off what he is wearing to level the playing field. Because a troop is often made up of a cross section of society, the Boy Scout uniform allows all boys to be accepted on their own merits and not whether they are wearing the right T-shirt.

Boy Scout MeetingsBecause one of the main purposes of Scouting is to teach leadership and responsibility, meetings are led by a Senior Patrol Leader, who is chosen by the troop. The unit is run by a volunteer adult, usually called a Troop Leader, who is approved by the local council. In many cases, the troop is only as good as its volunteers, so it is a good idea to check with current members to see how well the troop is run. It is common to meet weekly or biweekly, with regular troop campouts during the year.

Ideally, the troop meetings would all take place outdoors, since the purpose of Scouting is to teach leadership and responsibility through outdoor activities, but realistically many meetings are held in indoor locations. A good troop meeting should inspire the Scouts for the coming week and give them a sense of brotherhood with the other Scouts. Boy Scout games such as “Pack the Backpack” and “Bandage a Buddy” are often played during a meeting to help build teamwork and practice outdoor skills. The regular meeting is an opportunity to learn a new skill that will help in outdoor activities or for ceremonies when members have earned merit badges.

Boy Scout CampsThe original focus of the Boy Scouts was on the outdoors, so camping and hiking are important to the organization. Many troops have monthly hikes or campouts so the boys can put their skills to practical use. Peer leadership and teaching is highly valued in the Scouts, so older Scouts usually show younger Scouts how to pitch a tent or cook a meal. The Boy Scout troop will usually participate in a longer campout during the summer, and some attend the Boy Scout Jamboree, which is held every four years.

ControversyThe Boy Scouts have had their share of controversy in recent years. Although they are open to boys of any faith, their bylaws state that it is not an appropriate organization for agnostics or atheists. According to the BSA legal department: “The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.” Similarly, it has maintained that “homosexual conduct is not compatible with the aims and purpose of Scouting.” As the BSA is a private membership group, it is legal for them to refuse membership or volunteer opportunities to boys or parents known to be atheists or homosexuals, although it has come under fire for doing so.

Should your son become a Boy Scout? Even if they haven’t had experience with Cub Scouts or Webelos, many boys begin their Scouting when they turn 11 years old. Because the focus is on vigorous outdoor activity and self-reliance, it may be an appropriate organization for boys who have a hard time sitting still. Even shy boys can develop into confident young men by learning how to lead and follow the other members of the troop.

If your family has problems with the religious or antihomosexual aspects of the BSA, it might not be the best organization for your child. If you are unsure if a local troop would be right for your child, attend a meeting and see how it is run. Most troops welcome visitors and are glad to answer any questions.

What Is Your Parenting Style?Whether you are a new or seasoned parent, your parenting style is probably based upon those of your parents, with a tendency to lean more toward one than the other. Do you actively seek out parenting advice or are you annoyed when others have the audacity to offer it to you? Take this parenting style quiz to determine whether your style is permissive or authoritative when it comes to handling the children.